Grown Up Sloppy Joes

Since I buy a brand of Ketchup that does not contain sugar will using it make this recipe successfully? I specifically look for ketchup with no High Fructose Corn Syrup and no added sugar...it sounds like maybe I should add a teaspoon or two of real sugar to the recipe? I like the sound of it otherwise, easy to make and lots of veggies! Yum!

Sue George

Id like to try this with a lot less condiments and some cheese. I love cheese

Natalia

I grew up loving Manwich and so did my kids. My kind of fast food :) But, like you Lisa, I decided to make my own healthier version too. Yours definitely sounds easier and faster than mine! I call my recipe "Snobby Joes". If my vegetarian daughter is coming, I used diced mushrooms in lieu of meat and no one even notices. Here's what I do:

¾ pound lean ground beef, turkey or mushrooms

1 yellow onion, peeled and diced

1 green bell pepper, cored seeded and diced

1 cup tomato purée [or Eden tom sauce]

2 tablespoons cider vinegar [and dash worchestershire]

1 tablespoons c.palm sugar
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon chile powder

1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
 [roughly smashed]

freshly ground pepper, to taste

BarbL

Hmmm. I would add 1 chopped green pepper, 8 oz. sliced or chopped mushrooms, use tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce (less sweet) instead of ketchup and mustard, and two different kind of beans, such as black and pink.

Peggy Wolfson

This is perfect! Been trying to clean out my pantry/freezer and I have all of this on hand. Going to try a vegetarian version since I have soy meat crumbles to use.. fingers crossed!

Kristine

I like BarbL's version better. Less mustard and no ketchup. Since hubby hates beans, I will leave them out and that also reduces the carbs and I will leave out the sugar. Black beans, however, have more nutrition than any other bean I know of, so I have them.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289934.php

IFortuna

Thanks, all. I love the "keep in the fridge" idea which works well around here. Everything I make seems to be Asian, Mexican or Italian, so this is a nice flavor change. I also play "Hide the Beans" with everything because my husband thinks he doesn't eat them. While we're hiding--pumpkin hides very well in dishes like this. I keep it in the freezer/fridge for tomato-based soups, stews, etc.

Bob and Jan Verrinder

Thanks IFortuna and Lisa! I completely missed the black beans. I'll be using them more now esp after reading that informative link on black beans. I need more dietary calcium for my osteoporosis. I also like using this recipe as a taco or quesadilla filling with the addition of sweet fresh corn and just a teeny sprinkle of cheddar.

BarbL

I'm mustard-phobic, so this is a non-starter for me. Here is my recipe for Untidy Josephs, as my husband calls them, aka Vegetarian Sloppy Joes!

12 ounces morningstar farms or boca frozen soy veggie crumbles (1 bag)

1 small onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 to 3/4 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1⁄4 cup beer

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian or regular kind)

1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder
cayenne pepper, to taste
Tabasco sauce, to taste

Heat olive oil in medium/large skillet over medium heat. Sautee onion, green pepper, garlic until slightly softened. Add soy crumbles and sautee until thawed. Add 1/2 can tomato sauce, beer, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cayenne and Tabasco.

Reduce heat to med-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add more tomato sauce and/or beer if sauce is too thick. Adjust amount of chili powder/cayenne/Tabasco to suit your taste. We like it spicy so I add quite a bit!

Deirdre